Revisión de los Gases-Fluorados: Primera etapa

On the 7th November, the European Commission published its plan to revise European Regulation # 842/2006, otherwise known as F-Gas. This text relates to fluorinated gases and proposes a certain number of future measures for refrigeration, air conditioning, heating and renewable energy professionals, particularly the phase-down of HFCs.

In this plan, the Commission in effect proposes a reduction in the quantity of HFCs put on the market from 2015, to achieve a significant reduction of 79% by 2030.

In CO2e and as a percentage of the average volume of HFCs produced and imported between 2008 and 2011

In parallel, restrictions on the use of HFCs in new equipment is planned, depending on the GWP of the fluid and the type of equipment, eg:

- Use of R23 prohibited in fire protection and extinguishing agents from 01/01/2016 .- Use of HFCs prohibited in domestic refrigerators and freezers from 01/01/2015, if the GWP is 150 or higher.- Use of HFCs prohibited in commercial refrigerators and freezers (hermetically sealed systems, ie. on-board units with brazed pipework) from 01/01/2017 where the fluid GWP is 2500 or higher, and from 01/01/2020 where the fluid GWP is 150 or higher.- Use of HFCs prohibited in mobile air conditioning units (hermetically sealed) from 01/01/2020 if the fluid GWP is 150 or higher.

These bans would not apply to equipment which, during its life cycle, showed greater energy efficiency with lower CO2 emissions than those in HFC-free systems, by applying the eco-design requirements contained in Directive 2009/125/EC.

For other systems - commercial and industrial refrigeration in particular - the servicing or maintenance of equipment containing HFCs with a GWP of 2500 or more will be prohibited from 01/01/2020, if the fluid charge is 5t CO2e (ie 1.3 kg of R404A) or more.

Note also that:

- the F-Gas regulation will now apply in its entirety to refrigeration systems in road vehicles over 3.5t, and refrigerated semi-trailers.- From 2020, it will no longer be permissible to put equipment already containing HFCs on the European market, and it will have to be filled at the place of installation.

This planned regulation has to be examined by EU member states and the European Parliament for a first reading during 2013. It is therefore not a final document and its contents may yet be altered.

Climalife will keep you informed about the progress of this plan to review F-Gas, but solutions are already in existence to comply with these regulatory changes.

Indeed, Genetron PerformaxTM LT (R-407F) with a GWP of 1824 is a solution that will immediately reduce CO2e emissions. With its lower GWP and better energy efficiency, it serves as a suitable replacement for R404A (with a GWP of 3922) in new and existing installations for low and medium temperature refrigeration applications. At pressures similar to R404A, it can be easily used and requires no additional training of qualified personnel.

And so-called 4th generation HFOs (Hydro-Fluoro-Olefins) continue to develop and are already appearing on the scene in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Today, Solstice ze (HFO 1234ze), developed by Honeywell, is available on the market and is distributed by Climalife. This fluid is an HFO designed to replace R134a in liquid cooling systems (chillers), CO2, cascades or refrigerators, with lower instant cold production but improved energy efficiency.